A look inside Ohio Brewing Co. (photos)

AKRON, Ohio - No business is complete until the mayor cuts a ribbon, right?

Of course not. But Ohio Brewing Co. is well, officially official, after a soft opening on St. Patrick's Day on the busy but quaint stretch of West Market Street. Akron Mayor Daniel Horrigan and area politicians welcomed the brewery Tuesday afternoon to the growing Highland Square neighborhood.

The location is near several taverns, including Ray's Place, which is getting set to move directly across the street. The Highland Square branch library also is across the street, with Mustard Seed Cafe caddy-corner and the Highland Theatre a few doors down.

"This has changed radically in the last 15 years," Horrigan said of the neighborhood, which is about 2 miles from downtown Akron. "There's a vibrant feeling."

Owner Chris Verich remained pleased that the brewery and pub are up and running, with distribution also under way.

"I'm very happy to have this open after eight, nine months of blood, sweat and tears," he said. The pub, he added, remains the basis for the lion's share of production, but the setup allows for small-batch trial runs. The beer is in some Giant Eagle stores, Acme and Buehler's, Verich said.

A year ago the brewpub was a construction zone, dust settling on tables, kitchen appliances scattered throughout and tools laying atop sawhorses. Now, the space is neatly divided into two finished rooms, a dining area with 20 tables and a bar that can seat more than a dozen patrons. Three televisions hang in each area, and the kitchen serves a full menu ranging from pizza to sandwiches, soups to salads, and entrees like bone-in smoked pork chop, quinoa and veggies, and beer chicken.

A half-dozen purse hooks, electrical outlets and charging stations are positioned under the bar, which offers about seven Ohio Brewing Co. beers and 20 guest taps including Lagunitas, Victory, Deschutes and Troegs ales.